Navigation buttons like back, home, bookmarks and reload are missing

The Navigation Toolbar contains the Back, Forward and other navigation buttons along with the Location Bar and Search Bar. If these or other toolbar items are missing, this article will show you how to restore them.

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The Forward button is only shown when necessary

In old versions of Firefox, the Forward button was always visible. If there wasn't a page to go forward to, the button was grayed out (inactive). Now, instead of showing a Forward button that doesn't do anything when you click it, the Forward button is hidden until you have a page to travel forward to.

Showing the Navigation Toolbar

You may have the Navigation Toolbar hidden.

Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click
on an empty section of the tab strip.

If Navigation Toolbar is not checked, click it to make the Navigation Toolbar visible.

If showing the Navigation Toolbar does not restore your missing buttons, continue to the next section.

Restoring the default toolbar set

Right-clickHold down the Ctrl key while you click
on an empty section of the tab strip and select Customize... to open the Customize Toolbar window.

Click Restore Default Set

Click Done to dismiss the Customize Toolbars window.

Click on the menu button
, then click Customize.

Click on the Restore Defaults button:

The default toolbar buttons should now appear in their default locations. If you would like to rearrange your toolbar items, see Customize Firefox controls, buttons and toolbars. If your toolbar buttons are still missing, continue to the next section.

ResetRefresh Firefox

If the solutions above didn't help, you can restore Firefox to its factory default state while saving your essential information.

Note: When using the refresh feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, open tabs, windows, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed and your preferences will be reset.When using the reset feature, your bookmarks, browsing history, passwords, cookies and web form auto-fill information will be saved. However, your extensions and themes will be removed; open tabs, windows and tab groups will not be saved; and your preferences will be reset.Learn more.

At the top of the Firefox window, click the Help menu and select Troubleshooting Information.At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.On the menu bar, click the Help menu and select Troubleshooting Information.

If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.

Click the Reset Firefox… button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.

To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation sheet that slides down.

Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Done and Firefox will open.

Click the menu button
and then click help
.

From the Help menu choose Troubleshooting Information.

If you're unable to access the Help menu, type about:support in your address bar to bring up the Troubleshooting Information page.

Click the Reset Firefox… button in the upper-right corner of the Troubleshooting Information page.

To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.

Firefox will close and be reset. When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.

Click this Refresh Firefox button directly, if you are viewing this page in Firefox (it won't work if you are using a different browser). You will also find a Refresh button on the top right corner of the Firefox about:supportTroubleshooting Information page.

To continue, click Refresh Firefox in the confirmation window that opens.

Firefox will close to refresh itself. When finished, a window will list your imported information. Click Finish and Firefox will open.